Community radio is one of the greatest supporters of Australian music, ensuring artists are heard by audiences. To ensure local musicians can access airplay and have easy access to content, we partner with the CBAA in the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap).
Established in 2000, Amrap helps Australian musicians to freely distribute and promote their music on community radio stations around the country. In 2022, Amrap facilitated more than 258,000 downloads of music tracks.
Editorial and radio programming through AMRAP focuses on new and emerging artists from across the country, representing diverse artists and music styles. In the past year, of the 245 artists featured on Amrap, 80% identified as LGBTQI+, gender diverse, First Nations Australians or having non-Australian heritage.
Amrap partners with organisations to provide opportunities to promote the breadth and diversity of Australian music here and overseas, highlighting community radio as a vital resource for local artists. Promotions include local music site Tone Deaf, partnerships with Los Angeles station KCRW’s Global Beat and First Nations Media Australia’s (FNMA’s) First Sounds. First Sounds in particular has increased awareness and airplay for First Nations-produced music with almost 100 artists featured so far.
Amrap has also partnered with Creative Victoria to develop Community Radio on Tour, a series of concerts produced by regional stations featuring local, emerging and established acts. Part of the Victorian State Government’s On the Road Again initiative, these events delivered much-needed live entertainment after months of lockdowns, and opportunities to connect with regional and outer urban communities.
How Amrap helps – an artist perspective
The Buoys Courtney Cunningham, Hilary Geddes, Tess Wilkin and Zoe Catterall. Image courtesy Wikepedia and April Josie Studio.
‘Community radio is the lifeblood of the music industry, a way for people to connect with their local artists and discover new music and events. Amrap provided us with a way to make our music easily accessible to community broadcasters. Having your music in one place that is accessed by community stations around the country is an incredible way to connect with people outside of your own local area.’ Zoe Catterall, The Buoys
Ben Mitchell in studio at Triple R in Melbourne
‘Getting all 17 tracks from my latest release ‘Chance To Love’ played on stations across the country probably wouldn’t have happened without Amrap.’ Ben Mitchell
Part of Ben Mitchell‘s album launch and touring schedule included interviews and in-studio performances at community radio stations.
